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3rd 2U vs LTD?

Hi,

I'm trying to choose between a Ti10 3rd in 2U and a Ti10 LTD. I have a Ti10 3rd in 3U and I think it's very suitable for doubles. However, it lacks just a bit of power and weight for offensive play in singles. I like all the remaining aspects of the racket, control, swing, head-shape, etc. So I'm looking for a Ti10 with slightly more weight on it, which brings me down to those two options mentioned above.

I heard that the LTD version is a remake of the legendary Ti10s made back in the 90s, which is head-heavier and more offensive compared to the 3rd gen. I've swung the LTD version (didn't get to hit shuttles) and it did feel pretty close to the previous generation Ti10s. But I have to pay a bit more for the LTD version, which is why I'm also thinking of getting the 3rd 2U.

I wonder whether the 2U version has more weight towards the head or just heavier throughout the racket. If anyone can provide just anything about either of the rackets, please reply.

Hi Danny, I have never had a chance trying out a Ti10 Ltd, but there were a lot of reviews in this thread, some say it is a head heavier than the 3rd gen, some say it is a repaint of the 3rd gen. So it is kind of over the map a bit, I personally believe it is more cases of individual specs of the racquets.

Between my playing partner and myself, we have/had 13 3rd generation Ti10, 9 3Us and 4 2Us; the spec of them are incredibly close and consistence.

out of 9 3Us, 7 of them are 88g dry mass, with 37g head weight
out of 9 3Us, 2 of them are 89g dry mass, with 38g head weight
out of 4 2Us, 2 of them are 93g dry mass, with 38g head weight
out of 4 2Us, 2 of them are 94g dry mass, with 39g head weight

It leads me believe most of the 3U racquets are 37g head weight, which is light and fast what they suppose to perform; the 2 38g 3U hits noticeably harder, but still no match of the power coming from the 2Us. The overall weight increase of the 2U makes the hit must more stable and it is a completely different racquet comes to preforming power stokes at the back court.

My partner wants the 2U to have more power, where I obtain the 2U for using it in singles; overall we both prefer the 2U over the 3U 90% of the time even in doubles. It is slower than the 3U version, but still very manageable, lifts and defence is actually easier because of the weight, mid court drives are incredible, (imagine 20% more power from your 3U version); back court are hands down better. However, slower in front and physical weight makes it more demanding during longer playing sections.

At the end, it will be your call; if you like how the 3U handles and feel, moving to the 2U for more power is the most logically solution as they both behave almost identically with the obvious power/weight difference, often enough, I could switch between the 2U & 3U with very little to no adjustments. Or trying to find a off spec 3U that is pushing the top end of the weight class 89+ grams may be the best of both world; but so far I haven't able to accomplish that yet.

thank you for your review of the Ti10s. Like you I love the Ti10 and have been playing with it for a long time but have had to stop using it in recent years due to my shoulder injury. It is simply too head-heavy for my shoulder.

I would like to pick it up again as I love the solid feel and power you get from them.

As you have quite a range of Ti10s I would like to ask you two questions.

1. Which of the 2U Ti-10s are most head light in your opinion?
2. Which of the 3U Ti-10s are most head heavy/powerful?

Since all my Ti10s are 2U Gen-1, they are too head heavy for me now. I want to get another Ti10 but with a lighter head without sacrificing too much of that solid feel and power.

I am just an average player who love the sport. No sure my opinion could help, but I have been lucky, my playing partner is a Ti10 lover as well. In his procession, he also have 4 gen-1 3Us and 1 gen-2 3U. So I got to try these wonderful racquets.

Again, the production spec on the gen-1s are incredibly consistence, all 4 of his 3Us are 87g dry mass with marginally 37-38g head weight, so it is a good balance racquet which move extremely quick. For the short section I give them a try out, I believe the shaft is flexier than the 3rd gen, so it is very forgiving (particularly easy for shoulder injured players, as I am one of those person) Power wise, the 3rd gen deliver more for me at my limit, but I certainly pay the price with my injured shoulder. The 3rd gen is also more direct because of the stiffer shaft.

For the record, the 3U gen 2 is the most head heavy and powerful out of the 3 generations, it noticable winning the top 'power' prize out of the brothers. But gen2 is rarer of the 3 generations and seems to have documented breakage issues as well.

The 2U gen3 actually swings very light, more so feels lighter than a lot of other model 3U racquets; I have personally never try a 2U gen1, but judging how the 3Us from the generations, their 2U counter parts would be similar; with the gen3 being slightly lighter, but the extra stiff shaft on the gen3 is not going to help your shoulder injury much.

If it is possible, source out a 3U gen-1 would likely to be ideal for you. Although power may be tone down from your 2U version, it still deliver and would likely ease the pain and stress on your shoulder.

I have 3 Ti10 Gen-1 2U, I have never tried the 3U version but it is quite difficult to get hold of a good condition one these days. The Gen-3 far easier to find in 3U but I wasn't sure if it will be head-lighter than the Gen-1.

I am currently using an ArcSaber-8DX which is quite stiff but even balanced, I find that the balance tends to be the main problem for my shoulder to cope - although I wouldn't go as far as using head-light racquets.

If the 3U gen-3 is headlighter than the gen-1 but retains that solid power feel I would probably consider getting that... unless I can find a reasonably priced gen-1 3U.

Also for the record, whilst all my gen-1 Ti-10s (2U) weight about the same, the balance is slightly different with the UK version more headheavy than the SP.

I think I'm going to buy the 3rd gen 2U version because the LTD version only has the 3U. So I'm afraid that it might not be heavy enough. I've seen multiple reviews saying that the 3rd gen 2U is good enough for singles. After reading yours too, I'm pretty convinced. I might find it better for doubles too. Who knows